New: FY24 Business Grant Applications  NOW Open!

For nearly 30 years, TURI has offered grants to businesses of all sizes — ranging from small local shops to industry leaders — that implement projects to protect their workers, communities, and the environment by reducing their use of toxic chemicals. These grants provide MA businesses the opportunity to research, evaluate, and adopt safer alternatives to toxic chemicals. Grants funding is available to any for-profit business in Massachusetts that: Proposes process or product changes to reduce their use of toxics; Is considering a change that is relevant to other businesses; and Reduces the use of toxic chemical(s) covered by TURI’s priorities or other toxic chemicals listed in the Toxics Use Reduction Act of Massachusetts. We especially encourage proposals that address the following strategic priorities: Reducing or eliminating halogenated solvents (in particular TCE, perc, DCM, nPB and trans-DCE); Adopting PFAS-free products or processes; or Reducing or eliminating toxic flame retardants. Applications are due no later than July 11, 2023. 📆    Want to discuss your project ideas, or have questions? Contact Jason Marshall. Phone: 978-934-3133 Email: Jason_Marshall@uml.edu

Learn More

PS: Don't Forget About PFAS Research Grants

Each year, TURI offers grant funding to academic faculty for research to identify, evaluate, and/or develop safer alternatives to toxic chemicals. Since 1992, over 100 research projects from Massachusetts universities have been supported by TURI. The research focus area for these proposals is per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (also known as PFAS), toxic chemicals used for a variety of manufacturing and product applications. Proposals should be submitted to identify, evaluate, and/or develop safer alternatives to the use of PFAS in manufacturing and product applications.

Save the Date: June 20th 🗓️

This event, held at the Massachusetts State House, will highlight and acknowledge the Massachusetts companies and organizations that have committed to building a healthier community by reducing their use of toxic chemicals. These champions show us that there are other ways to do business — the status quo can be changed. Everyone — whether they are firefighters in Nantucket or electronics manufacturers like Transene — can make a difference by replacing harmful chemicals. Choosing safer alternatives protects both the public and the bottom line. When companies and communities step up and reduce dependence on toxic chemicals, it creates a ripple effect that inspires other businesses, industry leaders, and communities to join the movement as well. TURI’s technical and financial support — in partnership with the TURA Program and OTA – provides the resources and expertise necessary to adopt safer alternatives, but the drive and interest of these companies is what makes these projects so successful.  We’d love for you to join us in Boston and meet with legislators from your district to share your experiences with TUR planning and implementation. Email Stacie to RSVP or for more details.

EPA Proposes Ban on All Consumer and Many Commercial Uses of Perchloroethylene to Protect Public Health. Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced another action to protect public health under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), proposing a ban on most uses of perchloroethylene (PCE), a chemical known to cause serious health risks such as neurotoxicity and cancer. Quaternary Ammonium Compounds: A Chemical Class of Emerging Concern. In 2021, the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Institute Science Advisory Board recommended listing BACs and DADMACs as toxic or hazardous substances. If adopted, this listing will require annual use reporting and reduction planning by businesses. This paper, led by the Green Science Policy Institute, provides some solid backing for the SAB and TURI recommendation on listing QACs. Common Chemical Strongly Linked to Parkinson’s. Due to its negative health impacts, TURI has prioritized helping companies reduce their use of TCE. Read more on how it has impacted service members stationed at Camp Lejune.   Cleaning products used daily during COVID-19 may be doing more harm than good: study. Researchers highlighted that cleaning products containing something called quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) may be connected to asthma, dermatitis and inflammation in humans.

‌ ‌ ‌ ‌